Propelling device for velocipedes.



Patented June 26, 1900. C. HETZEL.

PROPELLING DEVICE FOR VELOClPEDES.

. (Application filed Aug. 24=, 1897.) (N n M o d e l Witnesses Inventor f f f wv- UNITED STATES CARL IIETZEL, OF WASSELNHEIM, GERMANY.

PROPELLING DEVICE FOR VELOCIPEDES.

$PEGIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 652,364, dated Tune 26, 1900.

Application filed August 24,1897.

To wZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CARL HETZEL, manufacturer, of Wasselnheim, Alsatia, German Empire, have invented new and useful Improvements in Propellin g Devices for Velocipedes and other Vehicles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a new or improved propelling device for velocipedes and other vehicles, consisting of box or similar wheels which are rotated by dogs or other animals.

The propelling device in question is illustrated in the annexed drawings as adapted to a tricycle.

Figure 1 shows a side View, Fig. 2 a plan, and Fig. 3 a detail, of the propelling device.

The new or improved device consists of two box or similar wheels I), mounted on shaft a, which has its bearings in stays 61, connected with the cycle-frame c. A chain-wheel e is mounted on shaft 11 and is connected with another chain-wheel f, mounted on crankaXle h by means of chain g. The crank-axle h is further provided with chain-wheel 70, connected, through chain Z, with a chain-wheel mounted on the hind-wheel axle m. The animals employed for rotating the box-wheels b are harnessed to a cross-piece it, connected by spring o to a rod p, the latter being secured to the frame of the cycle in any sui t- Serial No. 649,372. (No model.)

able manner. The weight of the animals combined with their strength causes the boxwheels I) to rotate, together with shaft a and chain-wheel c, this motion being transmitted by chain 9 to chain-wheels f and 7s and the hind wheels of the vehicle, whereby the latter is propelled.

If the pedal-crank'i is worked by the rider simultaneously with the box-wheels being ro tated by the animals, more extensive transmissions may be employed in order to increase the speed of the vehicle without exer cising a tiring efiect on the rider.

Having now described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

In combination with a cycle, an axle journaled above the ordinary crank-shaft and between the seat-post and front fork, a cage on each end of said axle and beyond the line of movement of the pedals and the connection between the said axle and the crank-shaft, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CARL HETZEL.

Witnesses:

ALFRED SoHMITT, ERNEST THERION. 

